Footfall across bricks-and-mortar retail destinations is predicted to fall 4.5% year on year, as dampened consumer confidence continues to bite, according to research by Springboard.

This represents the third straight fall in Black Friday footfall in as many years, with 2018 down 5.4% and 2017 down 3.6%. The high street is likely to be hit the worst, seeing a 5.5% drop.

Springboard forecasts that consumers are unlikely to be visiting stores this year because Black Friday falls a week later than usual on a payday weekend. It also points to the “prevalence of discounting from retailers through the year” as well as mounting scepticism about Black Friday discounts generally, for the decline in consumer interest.